Have you ever asked yourself, “When I die, what am I going to leave behind? Will it be a better place because of me?” The only thing you will leave behind will be the memories people have of you: the good ones and the bad ones too (because everyone has both). What kind of impact will you leave with them? Would you live your life hoping that when we're gone, the world will be a better place because of what we've done in it and how we've made it better while we were here?

This week's ikala Podcast episode, David Gonzales interviews Barry Tamani. Barry is an Outreach Pastor of Com3unity Church and a leadership coach for Chick-Fil-A in Fremont, California off of Mowry and Auto Mall Parkway. He is a father of four, and married to his wife Jessennia Tamani. They will talk about the power of creating a community around the mission and values you stand for, in order to inspire future leaders. They will also talk about how words can connect with one another in creating a legacy and leave impactful memories that will inspire future leaders and breed loyalty for the coming generations.

They will touch on such topics as:

• The past is a place of regrets and consequences, but it can also be a place of inspiration.
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• We think that it's important for young people to know their mistakes and understand their consequences in order to grow as individuals, but we also believe that those same people can use their mistakes to inspire them.
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• When you're vulnerable, you invite people to relate. But it's also the healing that starts when you can be real honest with yourself and others.
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• In order for someone else to feel comfortable opening up about their own vulnerabilities, they need a safe space where they won't feel judged or criticized for doing so. And this is where vulnerability comes into play: being able to be open and honest about who you are and what matters most in your life means that other people will feel comfortable doing the same thing with their own lives.
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• You can let yourself be seen in all your messy, imperfect glory—and that's where the magic happens.
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• There is a power from your words and it's not just about telling a good story; it's about using your words to help others and make an impact on the world around me.
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• The legacy you leave behind is what you made of yourself when you were alive. A legacy that is yours alone, but one that you can share with others because it will be passed on through their stories about you.
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• The easiest way to leave a legacy is to live with intention. To choose what matters most to you and focus your efforts there. To make mistakes and learn from them—not because they're failures, but because they're opportunities for growth and wisdom.      
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Reach out to Barry Taimani

IG @Barry_1975

[email protected]

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Website: www.ikalastrong.com

You've all heard that quote, “If you want something done well, do it yourself.” But how many of us apply those words to our lives? How many of us actually start taking big steps towards being a changemaker? How would you like to contribute to the world, especially if you are a man of colors, and be able to provide the resources and opportunities needed by those who aren't getting them because of the race and discrimination?

This week's ikala Podcast episode, David Gonzales interviews Juan Carlos Martinez, aka Don Juan the barber. Don Juan owned two business barber shops in Fremont, California, and has been cutting hair for most of his life. His business has grown to a point where it supports delivering a quality service experience for every customer who comes in. They will talk about building a community with different ethnicities, and how it's not just the people you choose to surround yourself with, but also the people you choose to serve. They will also be talking about empathy and compassion—how you can be kinder to yourself and others by being more understanding of the plights of others. And manifesting your own destiny—how you can make your life better by making small changes every day. They will touch on such topics as:

• Stop waiting for things to happen, and start making things happen! The only way you could create your audacity is by doing it.
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• A good worth ethic will teach you how to save money and get to the place where you are going.
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• It's important to have empathy towards people, because it helps us to feel connected to others.
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• If you don't believe in yourself enough to speak out loud about what you're thinking or what you're doing, nobody else is gonna believe in you.
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• If someone steals your idea, that's even good because that's letting you know that you were smart enough to come up with an idea that somebody else wants.
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• Don't let anybody tell you you can't. If they say it's not on the menu, bake it yourself. That's how you do it.
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• Whatever your plan is, there are alleys and avenues to help you reach your destination point. But if you don't talk about it, you don't manifest it.
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• Being part of a community means being part of something bigger than yourself—and when you're surrounded by people who believe in your ability to succeed at anything you put your mind to, you can't help but feel stronger than ever before!
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• Community is what makes us human: it's the way we connect with one another, the way we create space for each other to be ourselves, and the way we show up for each other when life gets tough.
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• Community helps us find our purpose—it gives us hope when things seem hopeless; it encourages us when we're afraid to take action; and it reminds us that we have the power to change our own lives and make them better for ourselves and for others.
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Reach out to Juan Carlos Martinez:

Email: [email protected]

Reach out to Us:

Website: www.ikalastrong.com

Life after brain injury will be full of challenges, but how can you overcome these obstacles in order to regain a sense of purpose in life? How can you find support through these difficult times, so you won't feel alone walking down the unknown road of the recovery process?

This week's ikala Podcast episode, David Gonzales interviews Karen Chapman. Karen is a Long Island native New Yorker. She's a mother of three and a longtime school teacher, and she's also a self professed health and fitness enthusiast. Her passion for fitness is obvious in the way she lives her life, as evidenced by her daily regimen of CrossFit.

They will talk about Karen’s brain injury experience, her near-death experience, her recovery and what happened from there; how that affected both her professional and personal life,the emotional and psychological implications of having a family member that close to death, and what it taught her about herself and her relationships with other people. Disclaimer: This podcast episode talks about depression, anxiety, and near life-death experiences. If you're currently struggling with any of those things, we hope this episode will be an encouragement and help to you. If you aren't currently struggling with any of these issues, but have had a friend or family member who has struggled with them in the past—or if you just want to learn more about them—we think this episode will be illuminating as well.

If you're feeling triggered during this episode, please take care of yourself by taking a break. You can always come back later (or even skip this episode altogether) when you feel ready.

They will touch on such topics as:

• If you've just had brain surgery, I'm sure you must be having a hard time coping with the pain and hardship. But bear this in your mind, the road to recovery will not be that smooth. You need to take care of yourself before you can start taking those long walks outside of your home again.
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• There are many ways to change your life and make it more satisfying and fulfilling, especially if you've had a dark time in your life and now want to live again.
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• Your near death experience can change your mindset completely and it gives you a new perspective on life. It will help you realize what's important and what really doesn't matter that much anymore.
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• Your situation might scare you, but always remember that's how we grow.
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• There's a lot of fear associated with the unknown, and it can be hard to get past it.
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• It's so important to talk to someone who has been through something similar—someone who has dealt with the same problems and made it through the other side. You need someone who can empathize with what you're going through and tell you that yes, you can make it through too!
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• Community is a huge part of everyone's lives.
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• Connection helps us grow as people and learn how to get along with each other better. There are so many things in life that can make us feel isolated and alone, but when you have people who are there for you through thick and thin, it's like having your own personal support system wherever you go.
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• We have compassion for people who are hurting because they remind us of ourselves—we recognize our own pain in them, and then we want to do something about it. 
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Website: www.ikalastrong.com

Have you ever gone to a CrossFit gym, looked around and thought: "I don't belong here." because you feel intimidated with the routine and work-out? You might be ready to try CrossFit, but you are hesitant and scared because you don't know how CrossFit works or you believe it might be dangerous?

This week's ikala Podcast episode, our host David Gonzales goes solo to talk about understanding the new trend to help you get rid of any misconception about CrossFit and prepares you for starting your own CrossFit routine to improve your health, decrease body fat and increase fitness.

He will touch on such topics as:

• Most people are getting intimidated by CrossFit because of what they allow social media to do for them.
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• They think that they will not be able to do it right or that they won't be able to master the movements because they don't know how everything works together yet.
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• It's important that you have a good understanding of the basic movements before you start trying to mix them up into workouts.
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• It's also important that you learn how to execute these movements correctly so that you can avoid injuries when lifting heavy weights.
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• CrossFit isn't just about pull-ups—or even just weights. It has a lot of different kinds of exercises, and each one works a different muscle group (or sets of muscles).
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• It also helps you learn how to work through pain and discomfort, which is an important skill if you're going to be living an active life.
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Website: www.ikalastrong.com

It's almost the holidays! But do you know how important it is to take care of yourself by eating good foods this time of year? How would you like to stay on track with your weight loss goals during the holiday season while enjoying the food and parties without feeling deprived?

This week's ikala Podcast episode, Joewel Pascual interviews Olga Tokar. Olga has been involved in different kinds of activities. Learning more about exercise and movement science has allowed her to better understand the body mechanics as well as physiological and psychological benefits of movements. Every day she is getting stronger and learning what her body is capable of. Exercise is also most beneficial for her for my mental health. Moving her body helps her to stay more present and cope with everyday stress. Recently she has started to focus more on nutrition as it is a big part of a healthy lifestyle. They will talk about how to stay on track with your weight loss goals during the holiday season by offering some nutrition tips that will help you stay healthy and not feel deprived without sabotaging your weight-loss goals!

They will touch on such topics as:

• The maintenance phase is the most important part of the diet because it helps people understand what they need and how much they need it. The goal is not to lose weight but to be in the maintenance phase. Eating food to sustain themselves while they feel good about themselves again.
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• In order to keep your body healthy, it is important to learn about the different eating habits and how to balance your meals.
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• In order to maintain a balanced diet, you must be aware of how much you are eating and drinking. It is important to balance the amount of water and protein that you consume with other nutrients such as carbohydrates and fats.
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• Drinking more water will help keep you hydrated, which means your body can function better and you'll feel more energized throughout the day. It also keeps your skin looking fresh and youthful.
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• Getting enough protein will help build muscle and keep your metabolism up—which means that it can help you burn fat faster!
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• Understand what your body needs, and how you can make sure that it's getting what it needs. Whether you want to lose weight or gain muscle mass.
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• Instead of punishing yourself with more food during the holiday season or talking negatively about yourself, start to recognize, accept, and learn from your experience.
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• Consistency is not always perfect, but it is how you try, bounce back, and not give up. You have to keep going when things get tough.
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Website: www.ikalastrong.com

We all want to become better versions of ourselves, right? But, how do you improve your physical and mental health, manage the challenges of commute time, family, and stress and still maintain a good work/life balance? How can you build up a habit that can help you improve yourself every day? This week's ikala Podcast episode, our host David Gonzales interviews Candice Nunez. They will talk about how the discipline of caring for yourself physically and mentally will not only improve your self confidence but benefit you both, mentally and spiritually.

Candice was born and raised in Fremont, California. She is a mother of three, and a grandmother of four. She is a member of the gym, and has been a Crossfit member for over a year. She goes to the gym to improve her mental health and to take care of herself. Candice felt like getting healthy would be a good thing for her physical and mental health. The gym allowed her to relieve stress, and to make herself feel better.  

They will touch on such topics as:

• If you don't put the work in, it's not gonna come to you. Not everybody's blessed that way.
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• Sports bring discipline and good work ethics.
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• At the end of the day, we're all gonna end up in the same destination. We're all heading towards the same destination as we go through life.
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• No one's gonna take care of you except you. You got to make yourself better.
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• Without pushing yourself, you 'll just be doing the same thing every time. Work-out challenges you to bring out the best of you.
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• The unknown is always scary. But once you try it, it will change your mentality.
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• Sometimes it's good to be selfish, because you have to take care of yourself before you take care of others.
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• If you're stuck in a position and you're content where you're at - you are not living, you are just surviving.
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• To be successful, you have to get a little uncomfortable at times, fall sometimes, and then get back up.
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• Mistakes are good. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, because that's where you learn from them. 
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Reach out to Candice:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candice.corniel 

Instagram: @candi7129  

Reach out to Us:

Website: www.ikalastrong.com

Have you ever woken up one day and realized you are not happy anymore? Does the community that you used to live in and the people around you not help you find who you truly are? They say change is the only constant in this world. It allows us to move forward in life and experience new and exciting things. But how would you change to find the person that you are meant to be?

This week's ikala Podcast episode, our host David Gonzales goes solo to talk about how to change your life to know who you truly are and being in the right community to find the true meaning of happiness in life.

He will touch on such topics as:

• If you want something different in your life, change your belief system, the community you hang around with, and your everyday habits of thinking.
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• Sit down and collect your thoughts. Think about what you want in life.
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• Whatever you are chasing that is not coming into your path is because you are not changing and everything is staying the same.
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• Accomplish things one day at a time.
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• You have to change things in your life for your life to change. And it starts with you.
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• Make sure you are part of the right community. Do not try so hard to fit in.
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• Find a community where you can be 100% yourself. Do not be somebody else’s version of yourself.
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• If you are not waking up every day smiling at yourself in the mirror, then change it.
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• Tomorrow is not a promise; do it today. Do it for yourself, not for anyone else.
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• Create your legacy and be who you want to be.  
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Website: www.ikalastrong.com

Belief in oneself is the key to success. How much do you believe in yourself? Are you strong enough to overcome any obstacle and achieve your goals?

This week's ikala Podcast episode, our host Joewel Pascual goes solo to talk about the importance of believing in yourself and why it is the most important factor when it comes to success.

They will touch on such topics as:

• All you have to do is believe it could be done, and you will achieve it.
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• Ignore the naysayers, push through fear of what could happen, do it and achieve it.
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• It's really hard to overcome these self-beliefs. It's fearful, but if you truthfully believe deep inside in yourself, you'll be able to achieve it.
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• The most important thing is really finding those people that believe in you. Find that person that could believe in you, and be able to achieve those dreams. Whether this is a mentor, a mastermind group, or a friend, find that person.
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• These limiting beliefs can really take over our minds, and it's easy to accept this. So if we overcome these self limiting beliefs by believing in ourselves, and finding those that believe in our journey, we will get there.  
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Website: www.ikalastrong.com

Cutting out the lifestyle that you used to live is not easy to begin with; the food you enjoy and the leisure time that you usually use to hang with others. But when you realize the community you are in is no longer for you, what are the things that you can do to move forward? How can you create a healthy lifestyle that would improve your mental wellness as well? When you have someone who believes in you and you have something that you can grasp and achieve, what keeps you disciplined?

This week's ikala Podcast episode, our host David Gonzales interviews Junior Fregoso. Junior is a Spartan and Deka Athlete, a member of Machete Madness Pro Athlete Team, Founder of Garlic City Ruckers, and a community advocate for physical and mental wellness. They will talk about the struggles in beginning physical fitness, the discipline that you need to build while improving yourself as well as the mental wellness you get from physical fitness, and how you can build a community to bring people together.

They will touch on such topics as:

• There will always be one person who will let you know who you are and someone who will believe in you and let you believe in yourself.
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• Your only competition is yourself.
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• Go out of your way to help other people. Find that inner warrior within yourself and offer help.
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• Plan to be the best version of yourself, the version that you are meant to be.
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• We all have our own path where we get into situations that make us who we are now.
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• Physical fitness gives you mental clarity.
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• Get off your couch and do something. It may be small steps to begin with.   
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Reach out to Junior:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_gi2mo79/ 

Reach out to Us:

Website: www.ikalastrong.com

We all have thoughts that we don't always have control over. But what happens when there is a constant chorus of negative thoughts about ourselves? What does that mean for our lives, career, and relationships? More importantly, how can we apply strategies and techniques from the mindfulness movement to help achieve the life we actually want to live?

This week's ikala Podcast episode, our host Joewel Pascual goes solo to talk about how listening to our own thoughts has a direct impact on the quality of life that we live. Learning how to control what we listen to provides us with more time, energy and money to invest in the things that matter most.

They will touch on such topics as:

• It's our job to determine what we listen too and what we choose not to listen to.
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• Our mindset and thoughts are often influenced by what we listen to, but listening to the wrong kind of words and thoughts could lead to an improper mindset.
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• What you say to yourself makes a huge difference in how you feel.
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• Empower yourself to live the life you want by empowering helpful words, thoughts and actions.
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• We don't have control on our thoughts, but we have control on what we listen to. Our lives are shaped by the things we pay attention to.
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• We have a choice over the thoughts we allow into our minds. 
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Reach out to Us:

Website: www.ikalastrong.com